Geology

Are you fascinated by science and keen to understand how our planet works? How did the Earth form? How does our planet function and support life? What can we do to protect its future? Discover the answers, develop your own solutions, and explore Earth’s amazing journey with our innovative Geology BSc. Gain the practical, hands-on skills you’ll need as a highly sought-after geologist through fieldwork, laboratory projects, and industry work placement options, enabling you to thrive in a career such as geological engineer, geochemist, or geotechnician.

Why choose this course?

• This programme is accredited by the Geological Society of London

• Our unique 600-acre campus offers a fantastic natural environment to perform fieldwork

• Geology ranked top 10 in England (NSS 2025, broad-based universities)*

• No prior knowledge of geology is required and there are no formal exams

• Top 20 in the UK for Earth and Marine Sciences (Guardian University League Table, 2025)

Your journey towards making a global impact starts here. Earth, our complex and fascinating planet, is facing serious environmental challenges, creating high demand for geologists who understand issues like carbon neutral energy sources and sustainable methods of resource extraction. Our Geology degree will develop your geology knowledge and skills, empowering you to address these matters, and secure a promising future with excellent career prospects.

Never studied Geology before? We've designed this programme to provide you with a solid grounding in the subject during year one, laying the foundation for advanced study in years two and three.

Geology explores Earth’s origins, the evolution of life, and the exploration, extraction, and management of its natural resources. As an interdisciplinary subject, it draws on geography, environmental science, chemistry, biology, and physics. You will develop an understanding of Earth’s and other planets' structures and identify the physical, chemical, and biological processes occurring deep beneath our feet.

We place a strong emphasis on developing practical skills, equipping you with the methods and techniques needed for future employment. You will gain hands-on experience using equipment, samples, and digital resources in our state-of-the-art Central Science Labs while gathering, analysing, and interpreting your own research data through residential and one-day field courses. There are study abroad and work placement options, and Keele’s campus serves as a ‘living laboratory’ with 600 acres of natural environment for fieldwork. From our lake system and extensive woodlands to the mining and industrial heritage of the local area, we offer opportunities to study in an authentic environment while practicing sustainability, preparing you to thrive in your future career.

*We have compared the positivity ratings of all participating UK institutions using the NSS 2025 sector data to determine Keele's position relative to other broad-based universities (i.e. excluding specialist institutions and further education colleges).

About Keele

Keele University was established in 1949 by the former Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University. Founded to meet the needs of a changing world, Keele has always had a pioneering vision to be a different kind of university.

We excel in both teaching and research, with some of the most satisfied students in England, and research that is changing lives for the better at a regional, national and global level.

Our beautiful 600-acre campus is one of the biggest in Britain – but all the most important services and facilities are on your doorstep, with accommodation, teaching spaces, facilities including a medical centre, sports centre and pharmacy, and a range of shops, eateries and entertainment venues – including the Students’ Union – clustered around the centre.